Drawing Together: Siblings and Offspring

Sacred dirge in memory of Washington, 1800

During its years as a family residence, the Wadsworth-Longfellow House was filled with music and song.

The parlor included a pianoforte as early as 1799 and innumerable manuscript and published sheets of music survive for voice, piano, flute, and guitar.

Many include the initials of the original owner.

Of particular note is the French flute associated with Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, an accomplished musician.

When Henry left in 1826 for his Grand Tour of Europe to study language and prepare for his teaching post at Bowdoin College, his mother wrote, “I will not say how much we miss your elastic step, your cheerful voice, your melodious flute.”